Witty plant arrangements from Velvet Spade Designs

In the hands of Marguerite Inman of Velvet Spade Designs, cactuses and succulents look anything but dry. Exhibiting a witty and sometimes wacky sense of humor, Inman turns plant arrangements into what she calls “narrative scenes,” with animal figurines, cast-iron statuary and other elements. Pint-sized plastic deer may roam doe-eyed through a forest of river rocks, echeveria and moss. For a surreal touch, one piece creates the effect of tiny fallen trees using real antlers. Prices for these works start at $30, but for just $8, you can pick up one of her beer cans recycled as planters for low-water sculptural plants. (“I will drink beer to order,” she says, offering custom creations too. “All I need is a theme and price range.”) Inman can be found most Saturdays at Silver Lake Art Craft & Vintage, a flea market at Sunset Boulevard and Micheltorena Street. She also can be reached at (323) 572-3366.

-- David A. Keeps